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How does a New York City publicist and party girl turn into a go to guide for the next generation? In her new book, Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles, Gabrielle Bernstein shares the story of how she transformed her life, offering her spiritual journey as a guidebook for overcoming fear, changing perceptions, and creating a life you’re psyched to wake up for. Bernstein has traded self-doubt and addiction for a new kind of high. In 2005 she became a student of A Course in Miracles and since then she has been guided to teach those spiritual principles to the next generation of seekers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Guest Reviewer: Kris Carr on Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein

Kris Carr is a New York Times best-selling author, motivational speaker and wellness coach. She is the subject of the inspirational documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, which she wrote and directed for TLC, and the author of the groundbreaking Crazy Sexy Cancer book series. Kris’ third book, Crazy Sexy Diet is the ultimate diet and lifestyle game plan for wellness warriors seeking peak health, spiritual wealth and happiness. Her motto: Make juice not war!

I couldn’t put Spirit Junkie down. It’s a beautiful book with a profound message: choose love. But let me be clear. Spirit Junkie isn’t your garden-variety new age tome. It’s hip, fresh, edgy, and raw--just like Gabrielle Bernstein. Through personal memoir and modern interpretations of A Course in Miracles, Gabrielle shows us that an intoxicatingly happy and baggage-free life is possible if we’re willing to break our fear-based habits. Simply put, Gabby is a force, a trailblazer, a powerful spiritual leader for the next generation. She inspires her readers to rise up and walk the talk along with her. No matter where you are on your personal journey, this book is a terrific addition to your soul toolkit. Let Spirit Junkie be one of your manuals for a better life and then share the information with everyone you know. I will hold many of its wisdom pearls close to my heart.

Review

"So long, Carrie Bradshaw--there's a new role model for go-getting thirty-somethings. Gabrielle Bernstein is doling out inner peace and self-love for the postmodern spiritual set." —Elle Magazine

“Gabrielle is one of my most treasured soul sisters and a true ‘Spirit Junkie’ in the most fun and exhilarating ways imaginable! I read Gabby’s books for spiritual life lessons on how to love myself and others more deeply and with authentic honesty. Open your hearts to this beautiful goddess-diva and, most important, discover the one that lives inside you!” —Eliza Dushku

“A decade ago, young women like Ms. Bernstein might have been expected to chase the lifestyle of high heels and pink drinks…But now there is a new role model for New York’s former Carrie Bradshaws…well versed in self-help and New Age spirituality…Ms. Bernstein is one of a circle of such figures, influenced less by the oeuvre of Candace Bushnell than that of Marianne Williamson.” —TheNew York Times

“For those ready to give up their addiction to suffering or who simply need to release the general malaise of a too-busy, too shallow way of life, Spirit Junkie is a soothing balm for the soul. Gabrielle Bernstein is a brilliant shining guide for all who seek to have more love, more light and more miracles in their life.”—Arielle Ford, author of The Soulmate Secret

“In this mixture of humor, grief and how-to instructions on achieving enlightenment, Bernstein offers more than just autobiography or a user’s guide to meditation . . . A groovy blend of meditative and instructive writing.”--Kirkus

When I selected this book for reviewing, I was not familiar with the author (despite the book cover's statement that Forbes identified her as one of the 20 "best branded women"). The title and cover art made me think this was going to be a lighthearted book by someone who experimented with a variety of new-age spiritual activities. I thought it was going to be funny, possibly a satirical look at all the ways we try to find enlightenment in this life.

It is not. It is a fairly serious (despite some casual language and occasionally funny stories) exploration of her journey through A Course in Miracles. Through the 12 chapters, she takes the reader through the basic principles of the Course focusing particularly on fear and anxiety, the need to relinquish being "special" or labeling others as "special", and lots of work with what she calls the "F" word: forgiveness.

Despite my initial surprise at the serious tone of the book (not suggested by the title or cover art) I found myself pulled into her stories and observations. I am not a student of the Course, so much of her information was new to me, and I found it very engaging and interesting. I found myself resisting some of the concepts, but I suspect that is a normal reaction to new material which makes you rethink how you have previously perceived situations. Perhaps more important-- I also found myself relaxing as I read the book, and becoming more at peace with myself and with some people in my life. The book helped me to look at my own tendency to be a "victim" (which I would have denied prior to reading it) and helped me develop ways to get out of that role.

I recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about A Course in Miracles (the actual Course book is rather long-- this is a much quicker way to learn the main points) or are interested in learning more about the important role of forgiveness in your life.

This is a great spiritual memoir and guide by a Gen-Y version of Marianne Williamson, goddess of The Course of Miracles. If you are a baby boomer like me, you have to get past some of the gen-y jargon (and the slang from us boomers, such as cool, tripping and dig it...). The author also uses cutsie titles such as "The F Word" for the chapter on forgiveness, and cute words like "-ing" for "internal guide." But get past the language (or maybe you like it!) and it has great advice.

Her teachings are all paraphrases of and her own experience from what she calls "the Course"--and she integrates personal stories throughout the book, such as relationship breakups, forgiving others, getting off drugs, and more. She explains how the Course of Miracles book, and applying its principals, rescued her from a life of overeating, drugs, failed relationships, judging others, and low self-esteem.

My favorite, without doubt, is the chapter on the ego's illusion of someone being special, in particular teachers or romantic partners. In fact, the book drags at first, picking up at this chapter (chapter three, on p. 53). If only I had had her wisdom when I was so young! It would have saved me decades of grief, low self-esteem, etc.

This chapter is expanded upon in a later one, chapter 9, when Gabrielle finally finds the love of her life, the Divine Romance with Spirit. She realizes that she no longer needs a romantic partner in a man for feeling love, security and inspiration. "I had fallen in love with spirit...I now knew that love was not a one-time feeling I could access from a boyfriend. Love is in everything...Love was not something to be acquired; it was something I always had.Read more ›

Quick Intro:From my perspective as the reader, the author's main intention is to: 1). Share more about her life with her readers. I get the sense that after the release of her `how to' first book, people wanted more insight into who she is and what events lead up to where she is now. 2). Share the teachings from "A Course in Miracles (ACM)" (there will be more on this later) and 3). Help her readers to identify where they are blocked in their lives, how to meditate on these blocks, and how they can reconnect with both their inner spirit and tap into the guiding force of the Universe.

Where I connected with the book:I've read many books on topics similar to "Spirit Junkie". Like Gabby, my mom is incredibly oriented towards a spiritual life. It was a common conversation while I grew up and because of it and my own personal interest, I've read tons of books about topics related to spirituality, self-growth, and meditation. I appreciate that Gabby has advanced from working on her own self-growth as an individual to wanting to share this message to as many people as possible. She writes quite a bit about her past and her false lack of authenticity. I appreciate that she identifies the Ego early on in the book and bravely shares with her readers when she was living from a place of fear and ego versus a space of love, compassion, and authenticity. She has some wonderful moments throughout her book when the reader is able to connect with her message, her life, and even refer to her website where she has guided meditations that weave into the meditations written in her book. Its an easy book to read, filled with a fun `easy breezy' carefree vibe written in a style that connects with a young `in-the-know' audience.Read more ›

More About the Author

Gabrielle is the New York Times best-selling author of May Cause Miracles. She appears regularly as an expert on NBC's Today Show, has been featured on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday as a next-generation thought leader, and was named "a new role model" by the New York Times. She is also the author of the books Add More ~ing to Your Life, Spirit Junkie and her newest book Miracles Now. Gabrielle is the founder HerFuture.com, a social networking site for women to inspire, empower and connect.

Youtube named Gabrielle one of 16 Youtube Next Video Bloggers, she was named one of Mashable's 11 Must-Follow Twitter Accounts for Inspiration and she's featured on the Forbes List of 20 Best Branded Women. Gabrielle has a monthly segment on the Today show and weekly radio show on Hay House Radio. She has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times Sunday Styles, ELLE, OWN, Kathy Lee & Hoda, Oprah Radio, Anderson Live, Access Hollywood, Marie Claire, Health, SELF, Women's Health, Glamor, The New York Times Thursday Styles, Sunday Times UK, featured on the cover Experience Life and Self-Made Magazines (top 50 Women in Business) and many more.